A6 -Sunday News, September 14, 1980 editorial page Real estate risk The argument that property owners whose properties decline in value because of un- foreseen down-zoning are “morally” entitled to compensation from the public purse is singularly lacking in logic. It was raised again last week by West Vancouver Alder- man Don Lanskail as council debated a bylaw amendment which would eliminate further highrise development in the muni- cipality’s original apartment zone. Part of the trouble may be that speculative property owners fail to read the Municipal Act carefully enough before plunging ahead with their “investment.” The act gives councils the right to down-zone any property without obligation to existing owners if this is clearly in the public interest — a right that has been upheld by the courts. In other words, property owners hoping for long-term gain from their purchase have to recognize that they are in the same position as investors on the stock market or in any other speculative venture. The. only difference being that the public interest, in addition to normal market forces, may deter- mine whether they eventually win or lose. This, we suggest, is how it should be. What a man does with his stocks and bonds, his car or his yacht, affects nobody but himself. What he does with his real estate may ad- versely affect many of his neighbors and they are entitled to protect themselves through their elected representatives. Real estate, in nine cases out of ten, remains one of the safest of investments. But it is an investment in the public domain and this automatically involves a risk factor with which real estate speculators must learn to ‘ live. It is NOT the public's problem. Two too many? North Vancouver District’s population has grown to the point where its council is en- titled to have eight aldermen instead of the present six. Council is presently debating whether it will take the upward leap. If two more bodies mean better service to tax- payers, we're all in favor. But should they merely mean a third more time spent in wrangling, maybe small is beautiful after all. sunday a news north shore . news NEWS 985-2131 1139 t onsdate Ave North Vancouver 8 C. V7M 2H4 (604, 985-2131 ADVERTISING CLASSIFIED 980-0511 986-6222 Publisher Peter Spec k CIRCULATION 986-1337 Associate Publisher Editor-in-Chief Robert Graham Noet Wright Advertising Olrector bre Carcuwell Classified Manage: Production & Office Administrator tam Francis Bern Hilhard faye Me Crae Managing Editor Andy Fraser News Editor Photography Chas lloyd ENaworths One heer Accounting Supervisor Barbara Koen North Shore News, founded | POU an an ndependent one nae ty newspaper and Qualihed under Schedule HE Hart Wl Maragragit ito the Exncise Tan Act is putboehed each Wednesday and ‘sunday try North Shore Froe Press Ltd and distiiOuted te every door on the North Shore Second Clase Mail Moyistration Nurntoer ses’ Subscriptions: $20 per year tte con beets VPRSC Nae abe ne Free Press tid All rights reserved No responsibility ac cCayted manuscapts and pictures whieh slamped addressed return envolopo Font cat mwc nee dered craasfese veal tee teed, CURT Me Oe ORY VERIFIED CIRTULATION 60,870 Wedhnenday 49.913 (nica, Koy SN Ok re nas” THIS PAPER IS RECYCLABLE OTTAWA (SF) - The last series of report-card markings for ministers in the Trudeau cabinet is coming at you today. We won't get them all in, but those who haven't been mentioned _ really haven't shone brightly, or boobed terribly. Senator H.A. “Bud” Olson Minister of Economic Development. Lord knows, he has tried, but so far with not much effect because of the fact that his colleagues are pre-occupied with things like constitutional reform. Olson was a force in getting the Alaskan Pipeline ap- proved, and he has bent some cabinet thinking towards western interests. He deserves a seven rating for effectiveness, and an eight for politics. Andre Ouellet, Consumer and Corporate Affairs, and Post Office — Ouellet seems to have curbed his previous dictatorial mannerism, and he continues to be a real power plus for the Liberals in Quebec. If he can do something with the Post Office, as promised in the bill to convert it into a . Crown corporation, he can be forgiven a somewhat lack-lustre performance in Consumer and Corporate BACK - TO -SCHOOL month — and the spotlight focuses once more on child safety and welfare. A propos of which we have pressing appeals for help. North Van's C.R.“Rusty” Rustemeyer, g.m. of the B.C. Safety Counetl, urgently needs more Block Parents. These are the good neighbors who keep a Block Parent sign in thew front window tqiet any fnghtened or endangered youngster know that it’s a house where he or she can get protection and help It tells that youngster youre a stranger to be trusted because you ve two been checked out by the pohece There are over SO,000 Block Parents throughout BC but never enough. because few Block Parents are available all the time Pevenaf you work all day, you can still help. kids get scared or hurt at aight and on weekends too And you dont even have to be a parent yourself. retired folk and single people are equally chmble to become Block Parents AL in all its a pretly painless form ol community wmctivity trast lughly important just the sarc Wf youd the to help give Rusty acall at 438 824] Phere s @& ststhac situation with the North Shore branch of Big Brothers who the fIclhows proside adult male Companionship and cn couragement for boys being raised in a houschold where they have father, big brother on other adult) male no ort card on the cabinet -2 Canadian Comment BY PETER WARD Affairs. He deserves an eight for politics, and a provisional seven for ef- fectiveness. Monique Begin, Health and Welfare — She is one of the extreme left wing of the Liberal Party, and it shows in the way she runs. her department. Some of the measures pushed at Canadians haven't been sensible, and she has put herself in political trouble. Rate her a four out of 10 in both politics and effective- ness. Mark MacGuigan, Ex- ternal Affairs — The new minister with the senior portfolio has put his foot in it a couple of times, but he is having a far greater effect on Canada’s foreign policy than “I'm afraid this is a bad time to ask for a raise, Fen- wick.” sunday brunch by Noel Wright of their own. Kids in that situation — with nobody to teach them fishing, take them to the ball game or just swap plain man-talk — muss out on a lot, no matter how devoted Mom may be. There are presently over 70 Bag Brothers working with local youngsters, but Wally Hosken of the North Shore BB tells us he sull has 3& boys on his waiting list Big Brothers can be any age from 19 upward, single or marned (quite a numbcr, he* says, are marnmed men with no children of them own) Their intial commitment ts at least one weekly contact of three to four hours with their “young brother after which the long term relaionship develops ac cording to the individuals involved Volunteers for this worthwhile community job should call Wally at 988- 11246 oe @ FLOWER PEOPLE, Park Royal administradgion has this nice custom of sending a floral tnibute to shopping centre tenants marking some important anniversary West Ambleside eyelid order 80 Van Florist in didn't) bat when tt an received an foe a handsome arrangement freccathy trom Park Royals Shella Hall even though it) was being sent to Cockrofts who were celebrating their 25th year ronovation Cockrofts you see being once of West Van Phorists Tha joor Competitors in flower biz the ELECTIONITIS (the disease will run its course in the next two months.) As forecast in this space last week. stnke Alderman Peter Powell off the list of North Van District mayorally candidates November's municipal elections. But he will be running again for an aldermanic seat. “May | forestall any more enquines from people who are urging me to run for Mayor in November ” al writes Peter “lt us flattering to be asked) but | must make it clear that the rumours that | have any intentions in that direction are unfounded ~ Can't say it clearer than that, can you”? Peter goes on lo explain that hes not yet ready to devote his full ame to the top yob But he keeps his options open “Perhaps. atsome later date, he adds “always assuming that elected office ois sali challenging and satisfying | might offer omysell election to Mayor we also forecast Meanwhale. there Il single aldermank after all in North the resignation oof C,ordon Cross for 7 Which be a clee Gon Van Cty following mid term Alderman business reasons Mayor Jack Loucks and the remainder of his team don't have to tace the chew torate 19S] for until November OFF Lomaornow Sept Ny ooas othe) Vancouver & North Vancouver Skating Club which starts tts siath season at Karcn Magnusscn AND GLIDING, (Monday most observers expected. Give him a passing six mark for politics, and about the same for effectiveness, considering he has the Prime Minister's office perpetually looking over his shoulder. Pierre De Bane, Regional Economic Expansion — De Bane is extremely popular. on Parliament Hill, and tough as a minister without losing honesty. He may not be political enough to suit some Liberals in that traditionally pork-barrelling portfolio, but his per- formance rates him at eight for politics and effective- ness. Robert Kaplan, Solicitor General — Lofig touted as one of the bright Liberal bank-benchers from Toronto, Kaplan has done an adequate job in a difficult portfolio, without getting the government into trouble, but without being spectacular. That means he deserves six out of 10 in both categories. The only other mister who deserves a mention is Ed Lumley, who is making something concrete out of his responsibilities for Trade. Political and prac- tical performances from him have been worthy of eight marks out of 10. Arena. There's been a big rush for the popular = beginners classes in figure * skating but you might still just squeak your kids in by phoning the new president, North Van's Lea Mac- Donald, mght away at 980- 7663 -- or try Theresa Pante at 988-5626 SHORT TAKES: West Van Garden Club chmbed on to the Terry Fox bandwagon ‘last week by donating the proceeds of 1s “Superfluity” Sale $135 8S, to the Cancer Society Jovial Alec Me- Pherson of Horseshoe Buy conducted the produce auchon Meanwhile, the local Mounties have also been pitching in nobly. Sgt Earl Stinson reports that the North Van RCMP Detachment raised $700 for Terry's fund last week B.C. Industry Miniter Don Phillips is billed as the star number at the North Van Capilano Suocreds “no host” breakfast mecting nacxt Saturday, September 20. at9 am in the Avalon MLA Angus Ree will be in the sudience West Van Band Association ts marking tts SOth year and secking new members from age 10 up ward They get concert band Must instruchon, concerts, tours, parties and parades — call 922 6915 922 7949) oF 926 4502 for information And welcome to newly appointed West Van teachers Kathicen Gardner (Hollyburn) Blaine Dunaway, iWeat Van Secondary) Anne Bergeron (Ridgeview) Alice Jennings and Julfle Jeffery (both Wes! Bay | WRIGHT OR WRONG! One sure tire dicting ald 1s anempty wallet